Summary
Your dog’s nails aren’t just cosmetic—they affect comfort, posture, and long-term joint health. Overgrown nails can cause pain, mobility issues, or even injury.
Key Takeaways:
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Trim timing: Nails shouldn’t touch the floor; most dogs need trims every 3–4 weeks.
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Risks of long nails: Pain, posture changes, arthritis risk, and broken nails.
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Tools & methods: Clippers, grinders, scratch boards, or micro-trims.
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Quick care: If you cut too deep, styptic powder helps stop bleeding fast.
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Pro help: Vets and groomers can assist if your pup is anxious or resistant.
Keep reading for step-by-step trimming tips, tool breakdowns, and pro hacks to make nail care stress-free for both you and your dog.
Dog nails do more than clickety clack across hard surfaces. They play a big role in your pooch’s well-being. Your dog’s nails help your floof grip the ground and even maintain proper posture. When those nails get too long, your dog can feel discomfort and may even experience joint pain over time.
Use this guide to help you know when your dog’s nails are too long, how to safely trim them, and why it matters to your dog’s health.
Why Long Dog Nails Are a Big Deal
If you’re wondering if it’s bad for your doggo’s nails to be too long, the answer is yes.
Overgrown nails can:
- Put pressure on your dog’s nail bed. This pressure can feel uncomfortable and even cause pain.
- Change the way your dog stands or walks, which may lead to long-term problems. Left unchecked, long nails may alter your dog’s joint angles and even spinal alignment, or worsen arthritis.
- Increase the risk of splitting or breaking, which can cause injury to the quick and lead to infection.
- Curl into paw pads if neglected for too long.
When your dog’s nails are too long, it can feel a little like wearing shoes that are too small. You change your gain to accommodate them, but this may lead to bigger problems later.
How Long Should a Dog’s Nails Be?
A good rule of paw: nails should not touch the ground when the dog is standing. If you hear nails tapping on hard surfaces, it’s time for a nail trim.
Veterinarians recommend nail trimming every 3-4 weeks, though the exact schedule does depend on your dog’s lifestyle and nail growth. Dogs that run on concrete frequently naturally wear down their nails. Small dogs have less opportunity to wear their nails down through activity, so they need more regular nail trims.
Signs Your Dog’s Nails Are Too Long
If you’re unsure if your dog’s nails are too long, here are some telltale signs:
- That tap-tap-tap soundtrack on hard floors
- Splaying toes or your dog shifting weight oddly
- Reluctance to walk on slick surfaces
- Visible curling of nails toward paw pads
- Accidental scratches if your dog jumps up to say “hi.”
If you’re nodding your head at any of these, it’s time for a little doggie nail trim.
How to Trim Long Dog Nails
Now, if you’re like a lot of pet parents, trimming your dog’s nails might make you nervous. Your dog’s nails have blood vessels inside called the quick. If you accidentally cut it, it will bleed and hurt your pup. That’s why your dog might bolt like you just pulled out the vacuum instead of the dog nail clippers.
When you keep your dog’s nails trimmed to a healthy length, there’s less risk of cutting the quick. Since the quick grows as the nail grows, the longer the nail, the longer the quick.
Here’s your dog nail trimming guide.
Nail Trimming Tools
First, know your tools. Do you need dog nail clippers or is a nail grinder better? There are differences between them depending on the size of your dog and their nails.
- Scissor-style clippers trim through thick nails.
- Guillotine-style clippers are good for small to medium dogs, though they’re not strong enough for bigger nails.
- Nail grinders (Dremels) file the nail down gradually. Because you’re not snipping, there’s less risk of hitting the quick. Plus, many dogs handle the vibration better than a sudden “snip.”
Once you’ve identified the right dog nail tools for your dog, it’s all about getting your dog comfortable with them. It’s also a good idea to add Kwik Stop or another product to your nail care kit.
Step-by-Step Trimming
Time needed: 10 minutes
How to Trim a Dog’s Nails
- Start by helping your dog get comfortable with you handling the paws.
Preferably, you can start trimming their nails when they’re a puppy. But no matter your dog’s age, you want your dog to be relaxed and comfortable when you handle their paws. You might start by sitting with your dog and petting them. Start by gently touching your dog’s feet and offering yummy dog treats at the same time. Work up to holding your dog’s paw for twenty or thirty seconds.
This can take a few days or a couple of weeks, giving you enough time to learn to spot the quick. If your dog has light nails, the quick is pinkish. You may not be able to see it on dark or black nails. - Add the nail clippers.
Once your dog is comfortable with holding his paw, you can add your nail clippers and trim only the tip. Reward your dog with treats and praise.
You may need another person to hold onto your dog and feed a steady stream of treats and praise while you do the actual trimming. - Don’t forget the dewclaw.
This is your dog’s “thumb,” and it doesn’t touch the ground, so it doesn’t wear down naturally. They can grow and curl faster than the other nails, so don’t forget to check them.
Alternatives to Trimming Your Dog’s Nails
Dremels or nail grinders can be a good option, especially if your dog is fighting your efforts.
Besides nail grinders, you can:
- Increase your walks on pavement, as concrete offers a natural way to file your dog’s nails.
- Scratch boards are another option. These sandpaper boards are like doggy nail files. Train your pup to scratch on them regularly, and you may have solved your problem.
- Frequent micro-trims. Trim tiny silvers off every week. This helps the quick recede over time.
If your pup has overgrown dog nails, be cautious. Long nails mean the sensitive quick is near the top of the nail. You definitely don’t want to cut too much and hurt your dog. That means you need to take the micro-trim approach. Aim to trim a tiny amount off once a week or so, allowing the quick to recede naturally.
Some groomers have a method for frequent, consistent trimming that can result in the quick receding within a month.
Accidentally Cut the Quick? How to Stop the Hurt.
If you do accidentally trim the quick, your dog will probably yank his paw back and back away from you. You can stop the bleeding with a product called styptic powder. These products stop bleeding quickly by constricting blood vessels and promoting clotting.
If you accidentally cut the quick, apply the styptic powder onto the bleeding nail bed and press for about 30 seconds to help clotting. Styptic powder is a general term. It has many brand names, including Kwik Stop, which includes benzocaine (a mild topical anesthetic to numb pain).
What to know: Styptic powder is not only a powder; it also comes in gels or even pencils. In a pinch, you can use flour or cornstarch, but they don’t work as fast.
When to Bring In the Professionals
Sometimes your dog won’t let you trim their nails. They may be super anxious, and your vet may recommend sedation as a last resort. If you take your dog to a clinic for nail trims, a vet tech will likely try milder approaches first, such as desensitization training or mild anti-anxiety meds.
For run-of-the-mill anxiety, a professional groomer can handle nail trims. Some groomers even offer an express service for nails, ears, and brushing, in between full grooms.
Benefits of Regular Grooming
No matter who trims your dog’s nails, your dog needs a regular grooming routine that includes regular nail trims. If you can do it at home, it’ll be easier since you won’t need to make an appointment.
You can also wipe your dog’s paws with a damp towel and check their paw pads for buried pebbles or burrs. You know what else? When you build a positive routine for nail trimming, it can be fun, complete with cuddles.
Wrapping Up
It’s up to you to keep your dog’s nails at a healthy length. You’re protecting their paws and joint health so your floof can walk, run, and play in comfort.
Start slow, get your pup accustomed to you handling their paws, and try different tools to see which works best for your dog’s nails.
Dog Nail FAQ
It does depend on your dog’s activity level, age, and type of claws. It’s a good idea to start early with puppies. If you can trim just the tips of their claws every week or so, you keep their nails a healthy length and get them used to the process as part of your dog training.
Active adult dogs typically need nail trims every 3 to 4 weeks. Senior or less active dogs need them more frequently since they aren’t wearing their nails down naturally.
You can stop the bleeding with a product called styptic powder. These products stop bleeding quickly by constricting blood vessels and promoting clotting.
If you accidentally cut the quick, apply the styptic powder onto the bleeding nail bed and press for about 30 seconds to help clotting. Styptic powder is a general term. It has many brand names, including Kwik Stop, which includes benzocaine (a mild topical anesthetic to numb pain).
A good rule of paw: nails should not touch the ground when the dog is standing. If you hear nails tapping on hard surfaces, it’s time for a nail trim.
Sources
“How to Clip a Dog’s Nails.” n.d. Veterinary Teaching Hospital. https://hospital.vetmed.wsu.edu/2022/03/10/how-to-clip-a-dogs-nails/.
Admin, Ima. 2024. “The Surprising Importance of ‘Pawdicures’ for Pets – Heaven at Home Pet Hospice.” Heaven at Home Pet Hospice. December 20, 2024. https://www.pethospicevet.com/the-surprising-importance-of-pawdicures-for-pets/.
Conner, Daryl. 2022. “The Quick of the Matter: Getting Claws Shorter, Faster!” Groomer to Groomer. January 14, 2022. https://www.groomertogroomer.com/the-quick-of-the-matter-getting-claws-shorter-faster/.
This content is for informational use only and does not replace professional nutrition and/or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is not a substitute for and should not be relied upon for specific nutrition and/or medical recommendations. Please talk with your veterinarian about any questions or concerns.
